USA > Minnesota > Concise history of the state of Minnesota > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
184
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
with other property contributed by citizens, was used to erect a frame building. The edifice stood between the Exposition building, in the East division of Minneapo- lis, and the Winthrop public school. The school was opened in October, 1851, by Prof. E. W. Merrill, a com- petent instructor, and for several years was well patron- ized. The regents of the university, in territorial days, were all energetic men, cumbered with many cares, and while they had not a dollar in their treasury, or a clear title to an acre of land, purchased the site where the university is, and erected a costly building. When the financial crisis in 1857 came the institution groaned with debt.
The new regents, after the state was organized, at the suggestion of Hon. H. M. Rice, in 1S5S elected a chan- cellor, in the hope that by corresponding with experi- enced educators, some way might be devised to rescue the institution from death. The person elected believing that by strict watchfulness the debt might be liquidated, and the university at the proper time serve its purpose, ac- cepted the office without any stipulated salary. The chancellor, after correspondence with Chancellor Tappan, of the University of Michigan, at the second session of the State Legislature, secured the passage of an act for the regulation of the State University, in which all pre- paratory work was discarded, of which the joint com- mittee of the Senate and House on the University said in the report:
"From a provision in the enactment of the present session in relation to donations to the State University, the committee are very hopeful of results.
"The universities of our Western States have gener- ally excited but little interest among the friends of edu-
·
185
STATE UNIVERSITY.
cation The Legislature has been the only 'alma mater' to which they could look for nutrition, and too often they have been made to feel, in the literal signifi- cation of the word, that they were 'alumni'. Good men, fearing constant and hasty changes in policy by suc- ceeding Legislatures, have preferred to endow institu- tions of learning under the supervision of some branch of the church. Already in our commonwealth, Baldwin, the distinguished manufacturer of locomotives, and pub- lic-spirited citizens of Philadelphia, have given thous- ands of dollars to an institution of learning at St. Paul and Hamline, an honored bishop of the Methodist Epis- , copal Church, has given a large sum to the college at Red Wing.
"Such security is given to the philanthropist, in the fifth section of the act providing for the government and regulation of the University of Minnesota, that it is believed that in the course of three or four years, the State may expect similar endowments from individuals who love to build up establishments for sound learning, the greatest ornaments a republic can possess.
"Indeed, we do not see, with the guards thrown around donations by the provisions of the sections alluded to, why men of every school of philosophy, and shade of religious belief, should not become zealous supporters of one great university, which shall be known far and wide as the University of the State.
"Time, toil, and great patience will be needed to per- fect a university system. The oaks of California, ma- jestic in appearance now, required centuries for develop- ment after the acorn was buried in the soil. For five years nothing may be done by the Regents, which is vis-
186
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
ible or tangible, and yet these silent - and invisible pro- cesses are necessary to permanent growth.
"The general government for years employed skillful engineers in throwing vast rocks into the ocean, at the entrance of Delaware Bay. To the class of men who looked for results in a day, it seemed a foolish and ex- pensive work, but little better than 'building castles in the air'; but now that these piles of rock have reached the surface of the waters, and are surmounted by mas- sive walls behind which ships nestle in the fiercest storm, with the security of the brood under the shadow of the mother's wing, the humblest mariner appreciates the work, and as he sails along, prays 'God save the Commonwealth.' Let us lay the foundation stones of the University, and the generation which follows us, when they behold the superstructure, will be sure to bless the foresight and the persevering labor which has secured to them the priceless boon of a complete edu- cation; a breakwater against the waves of anarchy, sup- erstition, and 'science falsely so called.' "
For the sake of economy, as well as procuring unity of development during the State's infancy, an act was also passed by the second Legislature making the Chan- cellor of the University also Superintendent of Public Instruction.
At the first meeting of the Regents after the passage of the Act, on the fifth of April, 1860, the Chancellor presented a memorial, which was adopted by the Board, asking the Governor to take steps to procure two addi- tional townships of land. The memorial concluded as follows:
"Heretofore Congress has made grants to Territories not having organized any Universities, and the lands be-
:
167
LAND GRANT FOR UNIVERSITY.
ing free from all prospective incumbrances, the Enab- ling Acts of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa have used the following similar phraseology :
"'Seventy-two sections of land, set apart and reserved for the use and support of a University by an Act of Congress approved on ----- day of -- also hereby granted, and conveyed to the State to be appropriated solely to the use and support of said University in such manner as the Legislature may prescribe.
"The condition of Minnesota being different, so far as a Territorial University was concerned, we expect and find different language in the Enabling Act. There is no reference as in the Acts alluded to, to previous re- sources, but it is prospective. It declares that if certain provisions are accepted that seventy-two sections of land shall be set apart and reserved for the use and support of a State University to be selected by the Gov- ernor of said State subject to the approval of the Com- missioner of the General Land office.
"Although a Territorial University had been in exis- tence for years, and the Regents had selected lands, there is no reference thereto, but the language pre- scribes selections for a future State University. Cer- tainly it was not the intention of Congress to turn over the debts and prospectively encumbered lands of an old and badly managed Territorial institution, but, to give the State that was to be, a grant for a State University, free from all connections with territorial organizations."
The Regents after several years of earnest effort ob- tained the additional two townships of land. While some of the best friends of the University were absent from the State, the Legislature modified the Act which had been approved by the then Chancellor of the
188
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
University of Michigan, and added a preparatory school, and abolished the office of Chancellor.
At present there remains but one preparatory class, and under an efficient President the institution in its general features now resembles the University of Mich- igan.
Two institutions of learning, supported by private munificence were chartered, before the commencement of the war with the late slave states.
In February, 1853 the legislature chartered the Baldwin school, which was opened the following June at St. Paul, and in December of the same year, its trustees dedicated a two-story brick edifice, still standing at the head of Rice Park, and now owned by the city, at that time, the largest brick building for educational purposes in Minne- sota. In their second catalogue the trustees mention that the design of the projectors of the Baldwin school was the establishment of a series of schools, for the educa- tion of both sexes. The preparatory department for fe- males was first commenced because there were more of that sex prepared to avail themselves of the advantages afforded. The impression was thus gained that the Baldwin School was intended for the education of female youth. It has therefore been deemed expedient to dis- tinguish the male department by the "College of Saint Paul."
The College of Saint Paul was duly incorporated, and a large stone edifice erected for its use, on Wilkin street near the bluffs, and enrolled as one of the colleges under the patronage of the "Society for promoting collegiate education in the West."
The second printed catalogue of the Baldwin School and College of St. Paul, in 1854, gives the names of
-
189
MACALESTER COLLEGE.
seventy-four pupils in the Baldwin School, and thirty- four in the academic department of the College of Saint Paul, a total of one hundred and eight students. During the year 1864 these institutions were again brought under one college charter, and in 1874, that charter was amended so that the college would be known as Macal- ester College, and providing that the preparatory de- partment of the college shall be called the Baldwin School.
In 1854, by the efforts of Rev. David Brooks and oth- ers, Hamline University was chartered, and established at Red Wing, and for several years did a good work under the presidency of Dr. Jabez Brooks. For a time it was suspended, but a few years ago it was removed to St. Paul, and under its present management has a hope- ful future.
·
190
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
CHAPTER THIRTEENTH.
MINNESOTA'S PART IN SUPPRESSING SLAVEHOLDERS' REBELLION: OCCURRENCES OF 1861.
The people of Minnesota had not been as excited as those of the Atlantic States relative to the questions that were discussed previous to the presidential election of November, 1860. A majority had calmly declared their preference for Abraham Lincoln as President of the republic.
The sources of the Mississippi River being in the State, its waters, after rolling by the capital, also wash the borders of the former slave States of Missouri, Ten- nessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisana, and pass- ing the city of New Orleans, are lost in the Gulf of Mex- ico. Living upon the banks of the same river, in the summer-time, the slaveholder would leave his plantation and breathe the bracing atmosphere of the valley of the Upper Mississippi, and while he discovered that the citizens of Minnesota, with but few exceptions, consid- ered the holding of persons of African descent in slave- ry as a foul blot upon the reputation of States that be- longed to a so-called free republic, yet he was treated with kindness, and was convinced that there was no dis- position upon the part of the inhabitants to use unlawful measures for the abolition of slavery.
But the blood of her quiet and intelligent population was stirred on the morning of April fourteenth, 1861,
191
GOV. RAMSEY OFFERS A REGIMENT.
by the intelligence communicated in the daily papers of the capital, that the insurgents of South Carolina had bombarded Fort Sumter, and that after a gallant resistance of thirty-four hours, General Anderson and the few soldiers of his command had been obliged to haul down their country's flag and evacuate the fort.
The sad, thoughtful countenances of the congrega- tions worshipping in the churches, the groups of earnest men talking at the corners of the streets on that event- ful Sunday, indicated their conviction that the existence of the nation was imperilled, and that the honor of the flag must be sustained by the expenditure of life and much treasure.
Governor Ramsey was in Washington at this period, and on Sunday called upon the President of the repub- lic with two other citizens from Minnesota, and was the first of the State governors to tender the services of the people he represented in defence of the republic.
The offer of a regiment was accepted, and the Gov- ernor sent a dispatch to Lieutenant-governor Donnelly, which caused the issuing on Tuesday, the sixteenth, of a proclamation calling for a regiment of volunteers to serve three month unless sooner discharged.
Business during the week was almost suspended. The national flag displayed over the stores and the roofs of private residences evinced that there was a determina- tion to preserve what, with all of its blemishes, was still the best of earthly governments.
All political party ties were obliterated, and the pub- lic meetings at the capital and at St. Anthony, Minne- apolis, Red Wing, Winona, and all the principal towns, indicated a surprising unanimity and resolve to use every effort to conquer the slaveholders' rebellion.
192
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
Under the call issued by the lieutenant-governor, act- ing in the absence of the Governor, recruiting was begun with alacrity. On Monday morning, the sixteenth, com- panies of the artillery of the regular army arrived at St. Paul from Fort Ridgley in charge of Major Pem- berton, hastening to Washington to aid in protection of the capital; but this officer, before he reached the desti- nation, resigned his command, and, although a native of one of the free States, offered his sword in defence of the confederacy of slave States.
The first company raised under the call of the State was composed of the most energetic of the young men of St. Paul, and its captain was the esteemed William H. Acker, who had been the adjutant-general of the State militia. Other companies quickly followed in tendering their services.
On the last Monday of April a camp for the 1st Reg- ment was opened at Fort Snelling, and Captain Ander- son D. Nelson, U. S. A., in two or three days mustered in the companies, and on the twenty-seventh of the month Adjutant-General John B. Sanborn in behalf of Governor Ramsey, er-officio commander-in-chief of State troops issued the following order:
"The commander-in-chief expresses his gratification at the prompt response to the call of the President of the United States upon the militia of Minnesota, and his regret that under the present requisition for only ten companies it is not possible to accept the services of all the companies offered.
- "The following companies, under the operation of General Order No. 1, have been accepted: Company B, 2d Regiment, Capt. Lester; Company A, 6th Regiment, Capt. Pell; Company A, 7th Regiment, Capt. Colville;
.
193
TELEGRAM OF SECRETARY OF WAR.
Company A, Sth Regiment, Capt. Dike; Company A, 13th Regiment, Capt. Adams; Company. A, 16th Regi- ment, Capt. Putnam; Company A, 17th Regiment, Capt. Morgan; Company A, 23d Regiment, Capt. Wilkm; Company B, 23d Regiment, Capt. Acker; Company A, 25th Regiment, Captain Bromley. Each officer and private is recommended to provide himself with a blank- et. Captains of the above companies will report their respective commands to the adjutant-general at Fort Snelling.
"The commander-in-chief recommends the companies not enumerated above to maintain their organization and perfect their drill, and that patriotic citizens throughout the State continue to enroll themselves and be ready for any emergency."
More companies having offered than were necessary to fill the quota of the 1st Regiment, on May third the Governor sent a telegram to the President offering a second regiment.
The authorities at Washington were soon convinced of the magnitude of the rebellion, and on May seventh Mr. Cameron, Secretary of War, sent the following tele- gram to Governor Ramsey:
"It is decidedly preferable that all the regiments mustered into the service of the government from your State, not already actually sent forward, should be mus- tered into service for three years or during the war. If any persons belonging to the regiments already mus- tered for three months, but not yet actually sent for- ward, should be unwilling to serve for three years or during the war, could not their places be filled by others willing to serve?"
On May eleventh, Lieutenant-governor Donnelly
· 194
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
telegraphed to Governor Ramsey, then in Washington on official business: "The entire Ist Regiment, by its commissioned officers, is this day tendered to the Presi- dent for three years or during the war. The men will be mustered in to-day by Capt. Nelson. In case of deficiency in the ranks, what course would you recom- mend? Answer." The same day the Governor replied: "Adjutant General Thomas authorizes me to say that Captain Nelson may muster in Colonel Gorman's regi- ment at once for three years or during the war. Do this at once under dispatch of May seventh."
The ladies of St. Paul having purchased a handsome silk flag for the regiment, on May twenty-fifth they came to receive the present. After a six miles' march from Fort Snelling, the regiment arrived in the suburbs of the city about ten o'clock in the morning. Before they reached the capitol the grounds surrounding and adjoining streets were crowded with spectators. The troops having been formed in hollow square in front of the building, the wife of the Governor appeared on the steps with the flag in her hand, and Captain Stansbury, of U. S. A. Topograhical Engineers, made the presenta- tion speech in behalf of the ladies, after which Colonel Gorman replied most appropriately.
On June fourteenth, the Governor received a dispatch from the secretary of war ordering the regiment to Washington. Messengers were immediately sent by Colonel Gorman to the companies temporarily garrison- ing Forts Ripley and Ridgley to report at Fort Snell- ing.
On the twenty-first, at an early hour they embarked
195
DEPARTURE OF FIRST REGIMENT.
in the steamers Northern Belle and War Eagle. 1 Be- fore marching out of the fort to the boats, their chap- lain delivered the following address:
"Soldiers of Minnesota ! This is not the hour for many words. The moment your faces are turned toward the South you assume a new attitude. Gray-haired sires, venerable matrons, young men and fair maidens will look upon you with pride as you glide by their peaceful homes. From week to week they will eagerly search the newspapers to learn your position and condi- tion.
"To-day the whole State view you as representative men, and you no doubt realize that the honor of our Commonwealth is largely entrusted to your keeping.
"Your errand is not to overturn, but to uphold the most tolerant and forbearing government on earth. You go to war with misguided brethren, not with wrathful, but with mourning hearts. Your demeanor from the day of enlistment shows that you are fit for some thing else than 'treason, stratagem and spoils.
"To fight for a great principle is a noble work. We are all erring and fallible men; but the civilized world feel that you are engaged in a just cause, which God will defend.
"In introducing myself to you, I would say, I come
1. STAFF OFFICERS.
Willis A. Gorman, Colonel. Promoted to Brigadier-General by advice of Gen- eral Winfield Scott. Oct. 7, 1-61.
Stephen Miller, Lieutenant-Colorel. Made Colonel of 7th Regiment, Ang. 1862. William H. Dike. Major. Resigned Oct. 22, 1-61.
William B. beach. Adjutant. Made Captain and A. A. G. Feb. 23, 1962.
Mark W. Downie, Quartermaster. Promoted Captain Company B, July 16, 1961.
Jacob H. Stewart, Surgeon. Prisoner of war at Bull Run, July, 1-1. Paroled at Richmond.
Charles W. Le Bontillier. Assistant-Surgeon. Prisoner of war at Bull Run. Surgeon 9 h Regiment. Died April 1-63.
Edward D. Nett, Chaplain. Resigned July 13, 1-12, and commissioned by President Lincoln as Hospital Chaplain U. S. A. In 1564 resigned, and com- missioned as one of the secretaries to President.
196
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
not to command, but to be a friend, and point to you the 'Friend of friends,' who sticketh closer than a broth- er, who pities when no earthly eye can pity, and who can save when no earthly arm can save.
"As far as in me lies, I am ready to make known the glad tidings of the gospel, the simple but sublime truth as it is in Christ Jesus. The religion I shall inculcate will make you self-denying, courageous, cheerful here, and happy hereafter.
"Soldiers ! if you would be obedient to God, you must honor him who has been ordained to lead you forth. The colonel's will must be your will. If, like the Roman centurion, he says, 'go,' go you must. If he says 'come,' come you must. God grant you all the He- brew's enduring faith, and you will be sure to have the Hebrew's valor. Now with the Hebrew benediction I close.
"The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen !"
At 7:30 A. M. the troops arrived at the upper landing of St. Paul, and amid the tears and cheers of its citizens, marched through the city to the lower landing, and again embarked for the seat of war.
While this regiment did not contain any braver or better men than those which were subsequently raised, yet because it was the First, and also the only one, from Minnesota, in the Army of the Potomac engaged in the defence of the national capital, its course during the war was watched with deep interest. Their journey to Washington so soon after the call for troops, and their
·
-
197
FIRST REGIMENT IN CHICAGO.
fine, healthful appearance, were commended by the pub- lic press.
The Chicago Tribune, June twenty-third, said: "Gal- lant Minnesota deserves high credit for her noble sons and their appearance yesterday. They have enjoyed in their make-up that rare and excellent process of selec- tion and culling from the older States which has thrown into the van of civilization the hardy lambermen and first settlers of the wilds. There are few regiments we ever saw that can compete in brawn and muscle with these Minnesotians, used to the axe, the rifle, the oar, the setting pole, and thus every way splendid material for soldiers."
Another paper of the same city, in an editorial with the caption "Northern Hive" thus descants : "The ad- vent of the Minnesota regiment on Sunday on their way to the seat of war was suggestive of many curious reflections. It carried the mind back to the twilight of modern civilization, to the days when not hireling mer- cenaries, but companions in arms, free men of northern Europe, burst from their icy homes and overwhelmed their effeminate southern neighbors. The old story of the world's history seemed to be repeated; and chron- icle and tradition alike teach us what the result must be. As we beheld the men march by, their stalwart forms, wild dress, martial bearing, and healthy complex- ions gave reality to the reflection, that this, after all was repetition of the scene-that these were forms as brawny, faces as intelligent, expressions as resolute, as in the days of old issued from the Northern Hive to plant the foundations of all that we now know of free- dom and civilization.
After remaining a few days encamped at Washington, 14
198
.
HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
the regiment was ordered to cross the Potomac. On the morning of the third of July it left its camping ground in the rear of the Capitol, and, marching down to the Washington Navy Yard, was received by Commo- dore Dahlgreen, who had two staunch steamers all ready to convey it to Alexandria. Arriving at Alexandria in less than an hour, it marched to General McDowell's head-quarters, and received directions to retire to a camping-ground, in the suburbs. On the sixteenth it began to move toward, and on the nineteenth reached, Centreville, and from this place, early on the morning of the twenty-first, proceeded to the battle field.
As it is impossible for any person to see the entire battle-field, it is always better to present the statement of several eye-witnesses, made from different stand- points.
Using the reports of the division, brigade, and regi- mental commander on the conduct of the Ist Minnesota Regiment in battle on Sunday, July twenty-first, at Bull Run, we have added thereto in footnotes the accounts of others.
Javan B. Irvine, of St. Panl, arrived a few days before the battle, on a visit to his brother-in-law, Mr. Halsted, of Company A. In civilian's dress, he took a musket and went into action, and captured the officer of the highest rank among all the prisoners taken by the various brigades For his bravery he was made First Lieutenant 13th United States Infantry on October twenty-sixth. 1861. He is still a captain in the regulararmy. Mr. Irvine's letters to his wife. published in one of the St. Paul papers, were among the best written after the fight. and are worthy of preservation. He says:
'We took a circuitous route through the woods, and arrived in vicinity of the enemy at about ten o'clock in the morning. - While on the march, the battle was commenced by the artillery who were in the advance, and the roar of which we could distinctly hear some three or four miles off, and the smoke rising at every discharge of the same.
"You can form some idea, perhaps, of our forces, when I tell you that our lines were some five or six miles in length, and the Minnesota Regiment was as difficult to find as it would be to find a single person in a very large crowd of men.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.